Clarion, did not build the McIntosh units, at that time they Owned McIntosh, Clarion was considered a fantastic car audio company and almost put them under. McIntosh was and is a high end audiophile company, Clarion came in and bought them cheap and tried to make McIntosh a "sell out" company by producing many products and sell mass quantities not quality. Thank God, they are now owned by a company that sells high end stereo equipment again.
The car audio days at McIntosh were very neat days as you can see the following on line here and there. I personally would not have a 05 06 GT without that for personal reasons, as I grew up in the Binghamton area and McIntosh stereo equipment is very cool stuff. It was the stuff that as a kid I dreamed about owning some day, to which I do.
I drive my 06 GT, I drive it with and without the music, I love it and enjoy BOTH sounds, the music is as powerful as the car!
BTY, Clarion wanted to move McIntosh to California, thank God there were a few who fought that! Today, I look at McIntosh as, "How do they compete and stay in business?" As not many understand quality. If McIntosh had moved to California, they would have been out of business today!